LG at Samsung

DAEGU, South Korea (Interstat) — Two of the KBO’s hottest teams will clash under the lights and likely the rain Saturday evening when the LG Twins visit the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

The matchup features clubs with identical 11-win records, though the second-place Lions (11-4-1) hold a slight edge over the third-place Twins (11-5) in the standings. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time with a forecast of 57 degrees and rain.

The pitching duel sets right-hander Yonny Chirinos (2-2, 6.75 ERA) for LG against Samsung’s Ariel Jurado (3-1, 1.80 ERA). Chirinos is coming off a strong outing, allowing one earned run over five innings with seven strikeouts in a 7-4 win over Lotte on Thursday. However, his season has been inconsistent, including a start where he surrendered six runs in just one inning.

Jurado presents a stiffer challenge, having delivered three consecutive quality starts. In his last outing Thursday, he held Hanwha to one run over seven innings, striking out five in a 6-1 victory. He has allowed just three total earned runs over his last 19 innings pitched.

Both lineups are riding momentum. The Twins have won seven of their last nine, including Thursday’s 7-4 win over Lotte where Chirinos and relievers You Young-chan and Woo Kang-hoon combined for 10 strikeouts. The Lions have won five of their last six, outscoring opponents 47-22 in that span, and just took two of three from Hanwha.

According to Interstat, the Twins are a narrow favorite with a 52.7% win probability. Their game simulator projects a high-scoring affair, predicting an 8-7 LG victory. The over/under is set at 11.5 runs, with LG installed as a +1.5 run favorite on the spread.

The teams will meet again at the same venue Sunday to conclude the series.